Cavs Notes: Caris LeVert, Cedi Osman, Trade Rumors

Is Cavaliers guard/forward Caris LeVert available ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline?

Well, not surprisingly, other teams are hearing what we’re hearing, and that’s the idea that LeVert could be had. He has an expiring $18.8 million contract and the Cavs are on the lookout for more perimeter shooting — and LeVert may be their best path to finding it.

So far everyone from the Pistons to the Hornets to Clippers and Jazz has expressed an interest in LeVert. And yes, even the Lakers have kicked around the idea of a LeVert trade in their scanning of rival rosters in their search for more help, sources told Hoops Wire. (In fact, it’s been said that LeVert is a favorite of LeBron James.)

But right now, decent offers for LeVert don’t seem to be out there. And the Cavs are far from determined to trade him, sources said. In fact, they like the team as it’s constructed, and are willing to let it gel and work on upgrades during the offseason.

LeVert is averaging more than 30 minutes a game, so trading him would mean removing a player who is a major part of the rotation, then trying to force in someone new.

“If you’re going to do that later in the season, you’d better be sure the new guy is an obvious upgrade,” one source said.

For now, it seems, the Cavs will keep LeVert. But the interest from rival teams is there, and when that’s the case, there’s no telling what could happen between now and early February.

Here’s more out of Cleveland …

• Several teams have considered making a run at wing Cedi Osman, with the Clippers perhaps being the most discussed. They have had an interest in Osman since the offseason, sources said.
• The Cavs are likely to check in with the Hornets, who are believed to be having a fire sale ahead of the deadline. The list of available players out of Charlotte supposedly includes forwards Kelly Oubre Jr. and Gordon Hayward, as well as guard Terry Rozier, a Youngstown native, Shaker Heights product and reputed Cavs killer.
• Along with having placed a call on Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic, the Cavs have been linked to available Spurs forward Doug McDermott. The Spurs would likely be seeking Osman as part of such a deal, sources said. A swap of Osman and Dylan Windler for McDermott works salary-wise.